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February 2, 2024

Sunday Feb 4, 2024

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 UPDATE #2:

Greetings, again!

A longtime Ohio news director is on the move. But we won’t know where for a few weeks.

Hyvonen

STEVE HYVONEN is leaving WXIX-TV (Gray/FOX) in Cincinnati. He sent me this note after I inquired:

Hey buddy

Sure thing.. I was planning on giving you the scoop but word travels too damn fast!!

After 8.5 amazing years in Cincinnati, I will be leaving WXIX in the next few weeks. I can’t divulge my next stop just yet, but stay tuned!

I’ll try to give you the scoop on my next announcement very soon.

Steve

In addition to Cincinnati, Steve’s been a news director in Orlando, Cleveland, and Birmingham, and also worked at MSNBC. His complete work history is on his Linkedin page.

And one clarification from Sunday’s newsletter. We erred in our report on JOE SULLIVAN‘s move to KOBI-TV in Medford, OR. KOBI is an NBC station, not ABC as we told you. Apologies all around.

It’s shaping up to be another busy week, which we’ll chronicle sometime on Sunday.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

As it so often does, Hearst has filled a news director opening from within. And we have a new and very timely Sciline session. It’s tomorrow and was just added.

 Long

BAYLOR LONG returns to WTAE-TV (ABC) in Pittsburgh as its next news director. He worked there as the assistant news director for 4 1/2 years before a promotion took him to Birmingham as the ND for Hearst’s WVTM-TV (NBC). More details in the news release. Baylor earlier worked for Hearst stations in Winston-Salem, Baltimore, and Cincinnati. He’ll replaces JIM PARSONS who is retiring after 7+ years as ND and 28 years at the station.

And we’ve added a timely new session (tomorrow) from our friends at Sciline. Check it out:

 

Media Briefing: Sports betting and gambling addiction

Wednesday, Feb. 7 (1-2 p.m. ET) on Zoom

Sports betting, which was largely illegal nationwide until a 2018 Supreme Court decision, is now allowed in most states, and billions of dollars are anticipated to be bet on this year’s Super Bowl alone. For some it’s entertainment, but for the many individuals who find it difficult to stop, the pervasive marketing and availability of sports gambling can be a ticket to financial and personal ruin. SciLine’s next media briefing will cover the current landscape of U.S. sports betting; the science of gambling addiction, including who is most at risk and impacts on physical and mental health; and evidence-based solutions to prevent problem gambling. Three panelists will make brief presentations and then take reporter questions on the record. SciLine Director Rick Weiss will moderate the briefing.

Panelists:

REGISTER NOW

FREE training opportunities:

Interview an expert:

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists. Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

We’ll see you this Sunday with our full edition.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

Another really busy week, and once again we have THREE new openings and THREE new news directors to tell you about.

Our list of stations with openings grows to 32 with ONE of those stations advertising its opening with a Paid Help Wanted ad.

Hint: If you like golf, you may want to check it out.

The deadline for entering the RTDFNA Murrow awards is approaching. Details in an ad below.

Lots of GM news, with changes at Nexstar, Sinclair, and Telemundo stations. TWO of those changes involve former news directors, and a third involves a former news producer.

In Names in the News, a veteran CBS correspondent says his own high school discriminated against him when he returned to profile a teacher who played a key role in his life. We have a story examining whether BYRON ALLEN’s latest bid (to buy Paramount!) has a chance. A new scholarship at the University of Missouri will help a student pursuing investigative journalism, another former ND becomes an agent, and TWO former NDs…whose careers extended long past their ND exit dates…are retiring.

All this and more below. Have a Super week.


Newly Named News Directors:

Schaab

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO…this week’s THIRD UPDATE reported MORGAN SCHAAB was moving with Tegna to become Director of Content for this NBC affiliate. The staff memo has more. She’s the Director of Content for KFSM-TV in Ft. Smith, AR and previously was ND (five years) for WAND-TV in Decatur, IL. She replaces CAROL FOWLER who’s off to Tegna’s WXIA-TV (NBC) in Atlanta in the same role. ART HOLLIDAY remains ND here, reporting to Morgan.

Grissom

WRGB-TV, Albany, NY…STONE GRISSOM will be the next news director for this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate. He’s a former ND in Elmira, NY, and also anchored at News 12 for ten years, His Linkedin page has much more on his career. At WRGB, Stone replaces PERNA ROBERSON who left way back in July after almost three years here. She’s now the Morning News Director for CBS’s WJZ-TV in Baltimore.

Sullivan

KOBI-TV, Medford, OR…JOE SULLIVAN moves almost across country to be ND here. He most recently spent nine years as ND for WXXV-TV in Gulfport, MS. (CRAIG SMULLIN moves from ND to EP for this NBC affiliate.) Joe’s cross county move took five days…and included Hazel, who Joe tells me will not go near his car now. Hazel is Joe’s German Shepherd. His fun travel story…with pictures…is here.

New News Director Openings:

Ryan

KUSA-TV, Denver, CO…the second of this week’s THREE UPDATES told you that TIM RYAN will be leaving this Tegna owned NBC affiliate later this year. Tim’s been in charge here for the last 4 1/2 years in his second stint at the station, interrupted by 2 1/2 years as ND for Tegna’s KVUE-TV in Austin, TX. In all, Tim’s worked here for 30 of his 40 years in our business.

KBLR-TV, Las Vegas, NV…Media Moves is reporting that MARIALCY CARRENO has left this Telemundo affiliate. She joined the station in 2018.More in the Media Moves story.

Rosen

WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA…this Lockwood Broadcast Group owned FOX affiliate is looking for a new news director. My records show MARK ROSEN has held this job for almost three years. Holder of the rare Augusta hat trick, Mark has also run newsrooms at TWO other Augusta stations, as well as Columbus, GA and Burlington, VT. Learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Diredctor, WFXG-TV, Augusta, FA:

WFXG has an immediate opening for a News Director to lead a dedicated team in beautiful Augusta, GA.

WFXG produces 30 plus hours of local television news each week and embraces a screen-agnostic approach to coverage through our website WFXG.com, two mobile apps, live streaming video, and social media platforms.

The primary responsibility of the News Director is to oversee all aspects of our news operation and ensure all WFXG journalists are timely, accurate, and unbiased in their reporting on all platforms. We seek someone who shares an expectation of excellence and can demonstrate the ability to lead strong teams.

Requirements:

  • Minimum 3 years of Assistant News Director, Executive Producer experience of increasing responsibility or equivalent news room experience
  • Four-year degree in Journalism or other applicable discipline required
  • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
  • Highly experienced with ENPS
  • Strong broadcast and AP style writing skills
  • Strong command of journalism ethics
  • Competency with Microsoft Office applications, newsroom software, social media, camera equipment, and editing systems

About Us:

  • We’re a dynamic and progressive family-owned business
  • Medical, dental, vision, prescription, and life insurance, flexible spending account, 401(k), paid time off (vacation, personal, holidays), paid parental leave, employee assistance program.

Interested candidates can apply to:

Mark Kurtz at mkurtz@cbs19news.com

Lockwood Broadcast Group and WFXG provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Pre-employment drug test is required along with a background screen as allowed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/4/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 1/7/24)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 1/21/24)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 1/7/24)
WACH-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 1/14/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 1/7/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (listed 1/14/24)
WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 1/14/24)
KBOI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 1/14/24)
WGXA-TV, Macon, GA (listed 1/14/24)
KVII-TV, Amarillo, TX (listed 1/14/24)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (relisted 1/7/24)
KTVO-TV, Kirksville, MO (also PM anchor, listed 1/14/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Sports EP, listed 12/3/23)
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (listed 1/21/24)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, relisted 1/14/24)
The Hill, Washington, DC (Rising Program, listed 1/21/24)
Nexstar DC Bureau, Washinton, DC (listed 12/24/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 1/7/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 1/7/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (2 openings, AM and Digital, modified 2/4/24)
WRTV, Indianapolis IN (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/24/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 12/24/23)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer, listed 2/4/24)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/17/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/4/24)
WPEC-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 1/14/24)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 1/14/24)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 1/21/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 1/7/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (listed 2/4/24)
WGNO-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, listed 1/28/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)
WRGB-TV, Albany, NY (listed 1/14/24)
WKEF-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 12/3/23)
KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 2/4/24)
KETV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/4/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (relisted 1/14/24)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 2/4/24)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (AM EP, listed 1/21/24)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (relisted 1/7/24)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 1/14/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, listed 12/17/23)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (listed 1/14/24)
WRDW/WAGT-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 1/14/24)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 1/7/24:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Names in the News:

Begnaud

CBS Mornings National Correspondent DAVID BEGNAUD (a longtime subscriber to this newsletter) went to his Catholic High School in Lafayette, LA, to do a profile on an important teacher in his life, but ran into discrimination, he says, because he is gay. Read this story from The Guardian for details, along with an op-ed Begnaud wrote for NOLA.com

Serial bidder (and owner of several local stations) BYRON ALLEN made a bid for Paramount this week, following unsuccessful bids for many other companies. The Hollywood Reporter looks at his chances for success.

Heflin

My alma mater, The University of Missouri, has announced a new scholarship for students pursuing investigative journalism. The Lance Heflin Multimedia Investigative Journalism Scholarship honors the late LANCE HEFLIN who had a remarkable career in both local and network news, as well as serving as EP for the America’s Most Wanted TV program. Full disclosure: Lance (and his late twin brother, VANCE) and I were at Missouri at the same time.

Former WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY) News Director BRIAN NEAL has joined Napoli Management Group as an agent.

Two former news directors whose careers continued after they stepped away from the ND job are retiring.

Ledbetter

STEWART LEDBETTER joined WPTZ-TV in Burlington, VT, in 1984 and spent time in the 90’s as the station’s news director. He’ll anchor his last program in two weeks. More on his career in this story from the WPTZ website.

And NEAL BARTON retired at the end of January after 20 years at Tyler, TX’s, KETK-TV. The station reported on his retirement but neglected to report on his pre-KETK career, much of it as a meteorologist in large markets. Houston blogger MIKE McGUFF covered that well, except he still says Neal was ND at KETK. He gave that up in 2016.

General Manager News and Notes:

The first of this week’s THREE UPDATES brought the surprising news that BILL DALLMAN is headed to Nexstar’s KREX/KGJT-TV as General Manager. Bill most recently was GM for KARE-TV (Tegna/NBC) in Minneapolis and is a former news director in Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis (two stations), Denver, and Grand Rapids, MI. The move gets Bill and his wife ANGIE closer to their son who lives in Colorado.

Sinclair filled TWO GM jobs this week:

JENNFIER HANSEN moves to WBMA-TV (CBS) in Birmingham, AL. She’s been running Sinclair’s Richmond, VA, station, WRLH-TV. You’ll learn about her unusual background in the company’s announcement.

And AMY CALVERT, who started her TV career as a producer, has been named GM for KOKH/KOCB-TV in Oklahoma City. Amy most recently had served as GM for Scripps’ KJRH-TV in Tulsa.

Finally, changes at Telemundo, where JOSE CANCELA has been named President of the Station Group. He’d been GM for WKAQ-TV in Puerto Rico, where he’ll be replaced by former WTVJ-TV (Miami) News Director MIGDALIA FIGUEROA. She’s been GM for Telemundo’s Miami station since 2020. More details in this story from Media Moves.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 4, 2024:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
KUSA-TV, 500 E Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
WTAE-TV 400 Ardmore Blvd Pittsburgh PA 15221
KUTV 299 South Main Street, #150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
KBLR-TV 450 Fremont St STE 310. Las Vegas, NV 89101 **
WHP-TV, 2300 N Cameron St Harrisburg PA 17110
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WAND-TV 904 W. South Side Drive. Decatur, IL 62526
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
WFXG-TV, 3933 Washington Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (see ad above!)
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
KBJR-TV 246 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

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